2020 ballots by state

[gilraen]

Good lord, CO, if only you could hire representatives to decide all that stuff for you.

I like researching everything on the ballot, including judges. This year's ballot was seriously time-consuming, but I guess I should be happy we don't have as many judges as the Illinois ballot!

[hitbyambulance]

everything passed in WA state, and Inslee is still governor. no complaints there.

[Alefroth]

everything passed in WA state, and Inslee is still governor. no complaints there.

ESJR 8212 didn't pass.

[hitbyambulance]

everything passed in WA state, and Inslee is still governor. no complaints there.

ESJR 8212 didn't pass.

sorry... was exaggerating. everything in King County passed

[Blackhawk]

Things I voted for that have won: 0

[$iljanus]

I’m disappointed that ranked choice voting in MA may not pass. And I didn’t even see any negative ads against it or people with signs saying “NO to Question 2 Ranked Choice Voting”

[Smoove_B]

NJ legalized recreational marijuana, for anyone that cares. It's been something promised for 3 years now, so here we are.

Despite claims that it will happen quickly, I fully expect it to take at least another year to actually materialize, because it's NJ.

[LawBeefaroni]

The bad:
Willie Wilson lost
Kim Foxx won

The good:
Tax Amendment looks dead
Toomin looks like he'll keep his seat despite daring to offend Madigan and Prekwinkle.
Willie Wilson lost


Everything else is as expected as far as I've seen. There are an few judges that I hope were not retained but haven't gone digging for those results yet.

[ImLawBoy]

I might quibble with your characterization of the tax results, but it does look like one of the deepest blue states will keep its outdated, regressive tax structure. I tip my cap to the no side for their messaging on this one. I think their advertising did a good job of convincing people that this would result in tax hikes on the middle class.

And for those wondering (and I know there are many of you), it looks like Democrat Jesus beat Republican Jesus. In my district (perhaps the most bizarrely gerrymandered Congressional district in the country), incumbent Democrat Jesus "Chuy" Garcia beat Republican challenger Jesus Solorio.

[Little Raven]

Uber set to win in California.

California voters decided Tuesday that Uber and Lyft should be exempt from state labor law that aimed to make their drivers employees rather than contractors, according to projections from NBC News.

Voters made the call on California’s Proposition 22, a ballot measure that essentially became one of Uber and Lyft’s last hopes in the state to continue their operations under the status quo.

[hitbyambulance]

Oregon decriminalized possession of 'small amounts' of any street drug, and legalized psilocybin for therapeutic use

[Kraken]

I’m disappointed that ranked choice voting in MA may not pass. And I didn’t even see any negative ads against it or people with signs saying “NO to Question 2 Ranked Choice Voting”

Frankly, I don't think most people bothered to understand it. I'm disappointed that we won't get a chance to try it.

The right-to-repair extension passed, so I'm 1 for 2, but that was one of those "why are you even asking me this?" referenda.

[Kraken]

NJ legalized recreational marijuana, for anyone that cares. It's been something promised for 3 years now, so here we are.

Despite claims that it will happen quickly, I fully expect it to take at least another year to actually materialize, because it's NJ.

You can't do much worse than MA. Three years into legalization we still have the highest prices in the US because no competition. That's because of social justice provisions that aren't working, plus good old New England Puritanism. The black market still thrives here because of its 50% discount (and no taxes!).

Me? I take advantage of the 12-plant allowance and grow my own. A couple times a year I buy commercial weed as a treat. It's expensive and inconvenient but I have no social connections, so the black market is closed to me.

it looks like Democrat Jesus beat Republican Jesus.

That's as good as Jesus vs. Santa Claus (my first exposure to South Park).

psilocybin

I can attest to its psychiatric potential. Mushrooms are a very beginner-friendly hallucinogen whose dose is easily controlled.

[hitbyambulance]

everything passed in WA state, and Inslee is still governor. no complaints there.

and Culp was the victim of Federal, WA budget cuts: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-ne ... chief-job/

[Alefroth]

My county had the best turnout in WA. 86%

[Jeff V]

I might quibble with your characterization of the tax results, but it does look like one of the deepest blue states will keep its outdated, regressive tax structure. I tip my cap to the no side for their messaging on this one. I think their advertising did a good job of convincing people that this would result in tax hikes on the middle class.

And for those wondering (and I know there are many of you), it looks like Democrat Jesus beat Republican Jesus. In my district (perhaps the most bizarrely gerrymandered Congressional district in the country), incumbent Democrat Jesus "Chuy" Garcia beat Republican challenger Jesus Solorio.

And there's already talk of raising income tax, now on everyone rather than just the weathy. Good job, idiots! The millionaires appreciate your dedication to making sure their boats get reupholstered!

[LawBeefaroni]

I might quibble with your characterization of the tax results, but it does look like one of the deepest blue states will keep its outdated, regressive tax structure. I tip my cap to the no side for their messaging on this one. I think their advertising did a good job of convincing people that this would result in tax hikes on the middle class.

And for those wondering (and I know there are many of you), it looks like Democrat Jesus beat Republican Jesus. In my district (perhaps the most bizarrely gerrymandered Congressional district in the country), incumbent Democrat Jesus "Chuy" Garcia beat Republican challenger Jesus Solorio.

And there's already talk of raising income tax, now on everyone rather than just the weathy. Good job, idiots! The millionaires appreciate your dedication to making sure their boats get reupholstered!

Right, because Springfield always keeps promises not to abuse carte blanche power. Junk Bonds is pissed and he'll probably take it out on the voting tax payer. He's already promised "painful cuts" despite the fact that all the additional revenue from the proposed "fair tax" was set to go to new spending (with a small amount to pensions). The math doesn't work. Never does.

Calling your fellow taxpayers "idiots" is exactly what he wants.

We do need a graduated tax system but there is no way to fix the state debt and deficit without addressing the other issues. The "fair tax" was a Band-Aid on gunshot wound. It was one those licensed character Band-Aids with a cool design but it was mostly useless. And no, it's not a case of the perfect being the enemy of the good. It's a case of an ineffective partial solution allowing complacency and another decade of irresponsibility.

The sad thing is that people will be upset about merely paying more taxes while the real victim will be those who lose vital programs.

[Jeff V]

The thing is, there is no question the state needs more money. The issue was entirely about going to the just the wealthy, or going to everyone. Now they will jack up the taxes on everyone, something that after 5 months of unemployment (and bleak prospects) I simply cannot afford.

[stimpy]

The thing is, there is no question the state needs more money. The issue was entirely about going to the just the wealthy, or going to everyone. Now they will jack up the taxes on everyone, something that after 5 months of unemployment (and bleak prospects) I simply cannot afford.

Do you really think the rich would pay more in taxes? They would just find or create more loopholes and it would fall back on us as usual.

[LawBeefaroni]

The thing is, there is no question the state needs more money. The issue was entirely about going to the just the wealthy, or going to everyone. Now they will jack up the taxes on everyone, something that after 5 months of unemployment (and bleak prospects) I simply cannot afford.

The current doomsday hike proposal is 20%. That would move the state income tax from 4.95% to 5.95%, or 1% in additional tax on taxable income.

For comparison, the 2017 increase was 32% or 1.20% from 3.75% to 4.95%. The corporate rate is 7%.

IIRC, the fair tax would have reduced the rate for the lowest bracket by 0.20 points to 4.75%.


IMO the sales taxes are more regressive than the income tax.

[LordMortis]

IMO the sales taxes are more regressive than the income tax.

that would depend on how it is applied. As example in Michigan with a 6% sales tax, non prepared food is exempt. That takes a shitton of regressiveness out of it. It's still regressive but what I am guessing is probably an extra $150 a year or so per head on those that can afford to pay it least makes big difference.

[ImLawBoy]

They're both regressive, but I'm not sure there's much value in ranking them. The sales tax isn't going away, though, and there was at least the opportunity to get rid of the flat income tax. I understand LB's reasoning in opposing it even if I don't agree with him, but bottom line we've now got both the regressive flat income tax and the regressive sales tax.